Man gets long prison term for raping pregnant woman

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The man who beat and sexually assaulted a pregnant woman in Santa Rosa was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison today, according to the Sonoma County district attorney.

Jack Jose Caratachea, 21, was found guilty in November for the June attack, said District Attorney Jill Ravitch. He had grabbed the woman, who was 37 weeks pregnant, as she was pushing her toddler in a wagon down Hearn Avenue in the early evening.

Caratachea then shoved her down an embankment into a secluded area, leaving her toddler unattended along the busy street as he hit and sexually assaulted her, authorities said. Passersby heard her screaming for help and managed to chase and catch Caratachea, holding him until police arrived.

“Justice has been served by the prison term handed down today,” Ravitch said. “Yet we are mindful that while the victim has recovered from the physical harm inflicted by the defendant, she and her family still suffer from the serious emotional trauma he inflicted.”

Ravitch said after four hours of deliberation, the jury found Caratachea guilty of forcible sexual penetration with a special allegation of kidnapping, as well as assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, and misdemeanor child endangerment.